John Lee

John Lee, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 12, 2024.  He was born in Chattanooga, TN and raised in Oak Ridge, TN.  John was a seventh generation descendent to live on the Lee Farm on Freewill Rd.  where he spent summers working on the family farm.   A graduate of Oak Ridge High School in 1961, he was on the 1961 State Championship team and was selected All State.  He then attended Tennessee Wesleyan College on a basketball scholarship and was a Class Officer for all 4 years.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Business.  He then attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and received Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics.

He worked for 10 years as a traffic manager for the carpet industry in Dalton, GA.  In 1977, he was hired in Chicago to help move the Dr. Scholl’s plant to Cleveland, TN.  He served as Distribution Manager for Dr. Scholl’s, Schering-Plough, and Merck.  He helped to start up a new Dr. Scholl’s plant in England.  Before he retired, he won the top Volunteer Award for the Schering-Plough Corporation nationwide.

After retirement, he worked for Davis Heating and Air-Conditioning Co.  and later as General Manager for Tri-State Warehouse.

His Love of God, Family and Community have always been the most important things in his life.  For over 40 years he has a been a member of Wesley Memorial Church.  He was a very active member who served as an Usher, on the Church Council, and Snack Pack Ministry.

His civic work included:  President of Cleveland YMCA, President of the Kiwanis Club, served on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club and Vo-Tech Board, Chairman of the Bradley County Planning Commission.  He was on the board of United Way and served on the Executive Committee for many years and chaired many Fund Distribution Committees.  He won the first Big Chief award for fund raising.  In 1995, he received the Sertoma Service to Mankind award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Catherine Lee, daughter, Laura Ann Lee and sister, Catherine Doughty.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene Lee; Sons: John Lee II (Tonya) and Kenneth Lee (Susan); Stepdaughters: Sandy Hammond, Tammy Ramey (Tex) and Pam Crook (Rick); Grandchildren: Abigail Haynes (Hunter), Ryan Lee, Savannah Lee, Allison Lee, Hanna Lee, Jacob Lee, Elijah Lee, Emma Lee, Brady Lee, Ethan Loveday (Bri), Justin Ramey and Monica Hammond; Great grandchildren: Hailey Mae Haynes, Grady Haynes, and Theo Haynes.

Celebration of Life to be held on January 27, 2024 at Wesley Memorial Church, visitation from 2 – 4 with service following.

In lieu of flowers, donation to Sack Pack Ministry c/o Wesley Memorial Church, 3405 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland TN 37312 or Cleveland Boys and Girls Club, 385 3^rd St SW, Cleveland TN 37311 BGCOCOEE.ORG

You are encouraged to share a memory and/or your personal condolences with John’s family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist his family with these arrangements.